Tribal Forestry Needs Assessment

Funding and workforce capacity as the most significant constraints limiting Tribal Nations’ ability to sustain and scale forestry and food sovereignty programs. While many Tribes have the vision, land, and partnerships to lead this work, chronic underfunding and understaffing prevent existing programs from reaching their full potential.  

• 55% of respondents cited lack of funding as a primary barrier to tree planting, and 42% reported insufficient staff to manage and expand programs.
• 65% of Tribes said they need workforce training or access to additional staff, indicating that labor and skills gaps are as limiting as dollars alone. 

While Tribal Nations have built strong partnerships to support forestry and food sovereignty work, the heavy reliance on federal partners creates significant vulnerability to forces outside Tribal control. Disruptions to funding can stall or reverse progress, even where Tribal leadership and capacity already exist.

• 80% of respondents reported relying on Federal agencies for funding, technical assistance and networking.
• The report explicitly notes that reliance on federal partners leaves Tribal programs vulnerable to federal shutdowns, staffing reductions, and policy shifts. 

Youth workforce development is one of the highest‑leverage opportunities to strengthen Tribal forestry, food sovereignty, and climate resilience efforts over the long term. While many Tribes have existing programs and staff, limited youth engagement threatens intergenerational knowledge transfer and future workforce capacity.

• 37% of respondents reported having no dedicated youth programs in forestry, food sovereignty, or climate resilience, signaling a major gap and opportunity for growth.
• Only 18% have youth food sovereignty programs, 17% have youth forestry programs, and 12% have youth climate resilience programs—despite widespread interest in expanding these pathways.